CONDENSATE TRAP

摘要

A condensate trap, or steam trap, comprises a vortex chamber (8) into which a steam and condensate mixture is introduced through a nozzle (20). Liquid condensate in the chamber (8) is discharged through an escape aperture (16) at a relatively high flow rate. At higher temperatures, the pressure reduction caused by the nozzle (20) and by the vortex formed in the chamber (8) causes condensate to flash off as steam, and this chokes the bore (18) downstream of the escape aperture (16) to significantly reduce the flow rate through the escape aperture (16). Flash steam generated in the chamber (8) can be recovered through a flash steam outlet (34), so providing a source of low- pressure steam for heating purposes. This enables the recovery of energy which would otherwise be lost by flow through the escape aperture (16) to a condensate return line or to the ambient surroundings.